Photo by Silvia Grav

Captured by the eye of photographer Silvia Grav one afternoon in my apartment. This image ended up being the artwork for my cover of Randy Newman’s “Same Girl.”

Silvia: “I started working as an artist / professional photographer in Spain at the age of seventeen, more than 12 years ago. A few awards, exhibitions and lots of kind people later, I landed in Los Angeles, where I’ve been based since. Curiosity has taken my career through a really wide spectrum of projects and industries: photography evolved into directing films and commercials, and thanks to Patrick Clair I discovered the world of motion design and main title sequences and fell really hard in love with it. Four years ago, I ended up opening a design studio and have been dividing my time between creative direction and fine art photography.”

Discover more of her remarkable work here.

"People Person" by Taylor Thompson

Writer/Director Taylor Thompson & I found an extra evening while making his latest, People Person, to take a series of medium format photos at his home studio in Los Angeles. My mane of unkempt hair accompanied by a thick mustache were decisions I made for my character in the film, Clark. I’m looking forward seeing him on the big screen.

“People Person” Dir: Taylor Thompson (2023)

Photographed by Taylor Thompson

Photo by Taylor Thompson; Los Angeles - Sept. 22, 2022.

Dolphin Hyperspace at ETA: June 17th, 2022

Dolphin Hyperspace performs at ETA in Highland Park (Los Angeles) as part of their “Tiny Marine Life” residency in June. It was incredible witnessing the prodigious musical talents of Jon Hatamiya on trombone, Logan Kane on bass & synth programming and saxophonist/multireedist Nicole McCabe.

Dolphin Hyperspace is a sonically adventurous jazz ensemble that blends electronic music and bebop influences into frenetic songs that crackle with mischief and joy. I’ll definitely be seeing more of them in the future, any and every chance I get!

"What I Had to Leave Behind" at 2022 Palm Springs International ShortFest

As we wrapped miniature photography on What I Had to Leave Behind last spring, cinematographer Wenting Deng Fisher had an idea for a behind-the-scenes picture. I had to crawl underneath the set, a dollhouse-scale replica of my old Los Angeles Koreatown apartment, to get to the other side and give her the best angle. One year later, I'm looking at myself through this doorway, reflecting on all that was unknown at the time for my film & I. I hadn't yet added Cassie Shao's remarkable animation or Branden Brown’s evocative score (his first for film). Not even Jackie! Zhou’s immersive sound mix or Alastor Arnold’s impeccable color. This film would just be an empty room without my crew.

Wenting Deng Fisher adjusts her camera on the miniature set of What I Had to Leave Behind.

Later this month, our film will be making its west coast premiere at the 2022 Palm Springs International ShortFest, selected to compete in the "Best Animated Short" program. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. For all those currently in the middle of a project or a pathway that seems obscured, keep moving. Don't be afraid to ask your peers for help. If and when you're blessed with their support, always give it back to your community two-fold. You're always stronger when you build together!

Palm Springs is an institution. Their thoughtful Oscar, BATFA & Goya Award-qualifying programming elevates the craft of short films. It's an honor to participate this year with my latest offering. Please check out the rest of my peers on the #shortfest2022 YouTube playlist to hear all about their wonderful work.

Bella Porter

Photo by Bella Porter. Listen to her music on SoundCloud and Spotify. “Influenza,” a favorite track of mine, is a great place to start - along with Luck of the Draw, her captivating 2017 release brimming with cavernous pop symphonies and subtle harmonies.

Maggie Dave in the studio

June 8th, 2019: Underneath the warm acoustic rafters of Voltiv Sound in Los Angeles, Maggie Dave rolled up its sleeves and got down to work on its first single. It was invigorating to hear musicians like Brian breath life into our demos, what once were tidy attempts to simulate a “live” band, now pulsed with rhythm and soul. It’s been a blessing to involve so many of our friends and fellow artists we admire on this project, and with so much album left to go, we can’t wait to share these experiences together, again!

(Mini) "Breakfast of Champions"

Been meaning to make this miniature for awhile, my first attempt at miniaturizing cartoonish food. Served on a (tiny) paper plate, the ingredients for this short stack were: Discs of painted clay covered in syrup (Gorilla Glue) with a disc of butter on top, which ended up being a slice of a synthetic rubber eraser from a mechanical pencil!

The Moth GrandSLAM Los Angeles: "The Tipping Point," October 22nd, 2018

My memories are still humming from a wonderful evening of storytelling shared with The Moth. The photograph above (by Ricky Steel), taken moments after the winner was announced (go Ron!), gathered all of us together on stage to receive a warm round of applause from the audience. Huddled shoulder to shoulder out there in the darkness were a handful of my friends and my mother, who drove in from Phoenix the day before. I was honored to share such a special night with those closest to me, as well as my growing community of fellow storytellers & writers whom I continue to be inspired by.

The mic awaits at The Regent Theater. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

The Moth’s LA StorySLAM producer, Gary Buchler, keeps a watchful eye on the evening’s scoreboard with an Expo marker at the ready. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

The patient feet of a storyteller await their turn at the mic. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

Storyteller Matthew Struski, live at The Moth GrandSLAM, October 22nd, 2018. (Photo credit: Ricky Steel & The Moth)

"Penny Girl" by Cola Boyy; Directed by David Luraschi

It was a joy to help out my good friend David Luraschi film his music video for "Penny Girl," the debut single from Cola Boyy's debut EP, Black Boogie Neon. I spent a whirlwind weekend driving around Oxnard helping gather bits and pieces of sunshine that Luraschi spun into gold. As Matthew (Cola Boyy) himself said best: "This is not just my world, but a part of me that's so vulnerable. All my differences are on the table, and my song plays in the background. Oxnard has so many bright colors and faces, it shows in the video. Isn't it nice?" More than just nice, it was truly inspiring to see his community come together to support this gifted young man and our heartfelt romp through their neighborhood. I can't wait to see what funky magic Matthew conjures for us next, as well as myself, his newest fan. 

CREDITS

Director: David Luraschi  / Production company: SlowDance / Executive producer: Valentine Suc / Director of Photography: David Luraschi / Line Producer: Mike Medoway / 1st Assistant  Camera: Riley Keeton / Set Designer: Sean David Christensen / Production Coordinator: Jocelyn Rummler / Production Assistant: Jocelyn Cortez / Editor: Kenza Meunier & Wyatt Earp Color Grading: Marjolaine Mispelaere / Post Production Company: Motion Partners

Special thanks to: Oxnard, CA, Adrian Pillado, Nic Hessler, Corentin Kerdraon, Marc Teissier du Cros, Cesar Wogue, Record Makers, Juniper Carrasco, Luis Franco, Jun Porte, E-scan, Fotokem, Motions Partners, Panavision, Reel Good Films & Daniela Garcia

READ ABOUT THE VIDEO via The FADER

20/20

"20/20" By Sean David Christensen. (2017) Mixed media; Contact case with two Bausch + Lomb Ultra (TM) contact lenses with MoistureSeal (TM) technology, magenta and neon green Avery dot labels with pen letters, sarcasm, construction paper.